The iconic film Sholay, directed by Ramesh Sippy and produced by G.P. Sippy, is all set to make a remarkable return to the big screen in a way never seen before. On June 27, 2025, the fully restored, uncut version of the film will have its world premiere at the prestigious Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy. The screening will take place on the grand open-air screen at Piazza Maggiore, making for a spectacular setting to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this cinematic milestone.
First released on August 15, 1975, Sholay quickly became a cult phenomenon with its gripping storyline, unforgettable characters, and revolutionary action sequences. Over the years, it has grown in stature to become a cornerstone of Indian cinema. This new restored version, made possible by the collaborative efforts of the Film Heritage Foundation and Sippy Films Pvt. Ltd., promises to present the film as originally envisioned. Audiences will, for the first time in decades, witness the original ending and scenes that had been excluded from theatrical release, offering a revitalized experience of the beloved classic.
Veteran actor Dharmendra, who portrayed the character Veeru, reflected fondly on the film’s legacy. “Sholay is the eighth wonder of the world! I am thrilled to hear that the film is being restored and I am sure it will have the same success as it had 50 years ago. Who can forget the dialogues of Salim-Javed and the direction of Ramesh Sippy? So many scenes have gone down in the history of Indian cinema and every character became a star. But the real hero was the coin. Few people know that I was offered the role of Gabbar and Thakur, but I was clear that I wanted to play the role of Veeru, as he is so much like me. I had so much fun on the shoot. My favorite scenes were the tanki (water tank) scene, the scene in the temple, and so many others, but the most powerful scene I feel was the death of Jai, which is still etched in my mind.”
Amitabh Bachchan, who portrayed Jai, also shared his memories of the film. “Some things in life remain permanently etched in your mind. Sholay is one such film. Shooting for the film was an unforgettable experience, but at the time I had no idea that it would be a watershed for Indian cinema. Its dramatic change in fortunes from being declared an unsuccessful venture to its record-breaking box-office run was an emotional rollercoaster for all of us. It’s wonderful that the Film Heritage Foundation has restored Sholay and that they have managed to locate and include the original ending as well as some deleted scenes in the restoration. I hope that even 50 years later, the film will capture the imagination of new audiences across the world.”
The film also featured stellar performances by Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, and Amjad Khan, each of whom added to its legendary status.
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director of Film Heritage Foundation, spoke about his personal connection with the film and the restoration journey. “My first memory of Sholay dates back to the time when I was six years old and I remember lamenting because my mother refused to allow me to go to the cinema to watch the film. I would never have imagined that 50 years later, I would have the opportunity to work on the restoration of the film – often described as the greatest Indian film ever made – with Shehzad Sippy of Sippy Films. I know every frame and every dialogue of the film by heart. Sholay was a masterpiece of passion that generations of Indians have loved and seen time and time again. Despite the fact that we could not use the original camera negative and that not a single 70mm print survives, we have left no stone unturned to ensure that this historic film has not only been beautifully restored, but that the restored version that will premiere in Bologna will have the original ending and some never-before-seen deleted scenes. I can’t wait to watch the film in the open air in the Piazza in Bologna along with thousands of cinephiles from around the world.”
Shehzad Sippy, producer of Sippy Films and grandson of G.P. Sippy, expressed pride in being part of the restoration. “Our film is the cornerstone of our family heritage and I am so proud that Sippy Films has been able to do a world-class restoration of the film with Film Heritage Foundation. It has taken us three years, but we were able to find the original ending and some deleted scenes that the world will see for the first time at the grand premiere at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna. It’s been a labor of love to resurrect the film and this is a tribute to the vision and the legacy of my grandfather, G.P. Sippy. I can’t wait for the film to begin its new lease of life.”
The screening is expected to attract thousands of film lovers, critics, and the general public, all drawn by the opportunity to see this revered film in its most complete and original form. The Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival is known globally for its commitment to classic and restored films, making it the ideal platform for this high-profile premiere.
The restored version will preserve Sholay for future generations, allowing them to experience its full artistic brilliance and historical value. More than just a celebration, the screening is a tribute to the lasting power and cultural significance of one of India’s most important films.
The restoration journey began in 2022 when Shehzad Sippy approached Film Heritage Foundation to preserve the film elements stored in a warehouse in Mumbai. What seemed like ordinary film cans turned out to be extraordinary: they contained the original 35mm camera and sound negatives of Sholay. Ramesh Sippy personally visited the archival facility and was visibly moved upon seeing the materials. Additional film elements stored at Iron Mountain in the UK were accessed with help from the British Film Institute. All the reels were then sent to L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna for the restoration process.
The process spanned nearly three years and came with numerous challenges, particularly the deterioration of the original camera negative. Therefore, the restoration primarily used inter-positives from Mumbai and London. A stroke of luck came in the form of a color reversal intermediate located in London, which contained the original ending and two deleted scenes. Film Heritage Foundation also recovered the original Arri 2C camera used during filming.
In the absence of 70mm prints, the Foundation consulted veteran cinematographer Kamlakar Rao, who had worked closely with Sholay’s original cinematographer, Dwarka Divecha. Rao explained how Divecha used a ground glass with markings to frame the 70mm visuals. This insight guided the team to finalize a 2.2:1 aspect ratio for the restored version. Fortunately, the original magnetic sound elements were found at the Sippy Films office, allowing for precise sound restoration using both these and the sound negatives.
The final restored cut integrates material from two inter-positives and two color reversal intermediates, along with the rediscovered original ending and deleted scenes, to present a version truest to the director’s vision.
Interestingly, although the film was re-released in 3D in 2014, audiences largely rejected that adaptation. The original 70mm format and India’s first use of stereophonic sound were seen as strong enough to carry the film on their own merit.
This restored version of Sholay is not just a revival of a film, but a tribute to the visionaries behind it and a gift to generations of filmgoers to come.